Dramatic fire devastates New York synagogue undergoing renovation

Richard Hartley-parkinson Daily Mail 07/11/2011 19:29

A dramatic fire has devastated a synagogue that was being renovated in Manhattan, sending plumes of smoke across the Upper East Side. Around 170 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the blaze at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun Synagogue which started at about 8.30pm last night.

It took an hour to bring the fire under control but witnesses described seeing flames coming from the roof and through the smashed stained glass windows.

At its peak 170 firefighters tackled the blaze which started on the top floor or roof of the synagogue

It took an hour to bring the fire under control and the congregation has vowed to rebuild

Five firefighters suffered from injuries according to fire chief Robert Sweeney and the roof collapsed raising concerns about the building's stability.

It appears that the fire started in the top floor and roof, according to police who have launched an investigation to find out how it started.

The synagogue was more than two months into a four-month renovation, spokesman Paul Browne said.

Thankfully all religious artefacts had been removed from the building before the building work took place at the synagogue which has been there since 1901.

Rabbi Haskel Lookstein said: 'We thank God that nobody was hurt.'

The prominent rabbi married Donald Trump heiress Ivanka Trump and New York Observer publisher Jared Kushner. He also participated in President Barack Obama's inaugural interfaith prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

He added that despite the fire the congregation would rebuild the church. Kate Chiminec said that she could smell the fire from 10 blocks away.

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